Fur-stretcher



1. c. AYLOR.,

FUR STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 1. 1920.

1,372,263. Patented Mar. 22, 1921.-

UNITED STATES JAMES c. AYLOR, or RANGER, TEXAS.

FUR-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Application filed November 1, 1920. Serial No. 421,074.

I! '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. AYLoR, a citizen of the United States, residin at Ranger, in the county of Eastland'and tate of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fur-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawm s.

This invention relates to improvements in fur stretchers.

An important object of the invention is to provide a fur stretcher by means of which the ends of the skin may be properly stretched.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction and which may be readily applied to the skin to be stretched.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent throughout the course of the following description In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout Figure 1 is a side elevation of the fur stretcher constructed in accordance with my invention showing the parts thereof in extended relation;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the stretcher in the folding position;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken. on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a central, preferably continuous, bar provided at its side adjacent the ends with notches 11 directed toward the ends thereof. Relatively shiftable members 12 are provided, two in number, and each substantially U-shaped in form and having the arms 13 thereof extendin along the sides of one end of the bar 10.

Straps 14 connect the arms 13 of the shiftable members 12 at spaced intervals and ex tend slightly beyond the point of contact with the arms 13 to the sides thereof and have pivotally connected therewith intermediate such ends 15, as at 16, the inner ends of links 17 It is to be noted that the straps lt are arranged in pairs and that the pairs of links 17 which are oppositely directed are connected with each pair of straps 1 1. The innermost strap 14,01" that strap situated at the inner end of the arms 13, is provided with a transverse bolt 18 which extends through a slot 19 formed in the bar 10, each of the members 12 being similarly constructed. One arm. of each of the members 1.2 has extending upwardly therefrom at the sides thereof cars 20 intermediate which is pivoted a pawl 21 having its nose extending through an opening 22 formed in the arm 13 to which it is attached and engaging in a corresponding rack 11 of the bar 10. A spring 23 secured to the arm 13 engages under the thumb piece 24: of the pawl and normally holds the nose of the pawl in engagement with the rack.

The outer ends of the links 17 are pivotally connected, as at 25, to bowed side mem bers 26 which are provided at their ends with the usual anchor teeth 27 adapted to engage the ends of the skin to prevent slipping thereof during the stretching and dry ing operation.

n the use of my device the stretcher is inserted in the skin while in the position shown in Fig. 2, subsequently to which a foot maybe inserted in the looped outer end 28 of one of the shiftable members 12 and the stretcher extended by pulling upon the other shiftable member. It will be obvious that the solid engagement of one end of the arms with the skin will not prevent other movement of the other end of the arms and that, accordingly, the ends of the skin may be stretched as desired. This is particularly desirable due to the fact that the head end of the skin is seldom as large as the tail end or that formed by the hind quarters of the animal, and it is accordingly necessary to shift one end to a greater extent than the opposite end. There are, however, certain animals, as for example, skunks, which when cased form a case the sides of which are practically parallel, rendering it necessary to supply the relative adjustment afforded by my device.

It will be obvious that my invention, by reason of its simplicity and the fact that it may be cheaply constructed is particularly well adapted for the use for which it is intended; and it will likewise be obvious that the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of some change without in any manner departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, accordingly, do not limit myself to the specific structure herein-- before set forth, except as so limited by the sub-joined claims. WVhat; I claim is:

1. In a fur stretcher, a continuous stationary central member, bowed side members arranged upon opposite sides thereof, relatively shiftable members slidably mounted upon each end of said central member and links pivotally connected to said relatively shiftable members and to said side members adjacent the ends thereof.

.2. In a fur stretcher, a continuous stationary central member, bowed side members arrangedupon opposite sides there of, relatively shiftable members slidably mounted upon each end of said central member, links pivotally connected to said relatively shiftable members and to said side members adjacent the ends thereof and means for locking said relatively shiftable members in adjusted position. 7

3, Ina fur stretcher, a continuous stationary central member, bowed side members arranged upon opposite sides thereof, relatively shiftable members slidably mounted upon each end of said central member, links pivotally connected to said relatively shiftable members and to said side members adjacent the ends thereof, means for locking said relatively shiftable members in adjusted position and means for limiting the shifting of said relatively shiftable members upon said central member.

a. Ina fur stretcher, a continuous stationary central member, bowed side members arranged upon opposite sides thereof, relatively shiftable members slidably mounted upon each end of said central memher and each provided at its end with ahand receiving portion, links pivotally connected to said relatively shiftable members and to said side members adjacent the ends thereof, and means for locking said relatively shiftable members in adjusted position.

5. In a fur stretcher, a continuous relatively stationary central member, side members arranged upon opposite sides thereof, relatively shiftab e members mounted upon eaclrcnd of said central member and each embodying spaced arms slidably receiving therebctween the ends of said central mcmber, links pivotally connecting the said relatively shiftable members and the corresponding ends of said side member and means for locking said side members in adjusted position.

6. In a fur stretcher. a continuous relatively stationary central member, side members arranged upon opposite sides thereof, relatively shiftable members mounted upon each end of said central member and each embodying spaced arms slidably receiving therebetwcen the ends of said central member, links pivotally connecting the arms of said relatively shiftable members and the corresponding ends of said side member and means for locking said side members in adjusted position comprising notches formed in the sides of said central member adjacent the ends thereof and a spring dog secured to one arm of each of said relatively shiftable members and coacting with said notches.

7 In a fur stretcher, a continuous relatively stationary member. side members arranged upon opposite sides thereof, relatively shiftable members mounted upon each end of said central member and each embodying looped ends and spaced arms connected to said looped ends and slidably engaging the sides of said central member at the ends thereof, straps connecting the arms of said relatively shiftable members and links pivotally connected to said straps and. to the adjacent ends of said side members. slots formed in said central member and members secured to one of the straps of each of said relatively shiftable members and extending through said slots and thereby limiting the relative movement of said shiftablc members with relation to said central member, and means for locking said relatively shiftable members in adjusted position with relation to said central member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

JAMES C. AYLOR.

arms of 

